Casual Lies // Satosugu ·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ JJK

🌼 || Fractured Lines

The next day.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds. Suguru leaned against a wooden railing, watching Satoru approach with his usual carefree grin. There was an undeniable spring in his step, the kind of energy that only came with being in love.

Satoru : "You'll never guess what happened today,"

He said, plopping down on the bench beside Suguru. He didn't even wait for a response before launching into his story.

Satoru : "She agreed to go out with me! We're going to the café near the bookstore tomorrow."

Suguru froze for a moment, his hands tightening into fists at his sides before he forced a smile.

Suguru : "That's great, Satoru. You must be excited, aren't you?"

Satoru : "Excited doesn't even begin to cover it!"

Satoru said, laughing.

Satoru : "She's amazing, Suguru. Like, everything she does– everything she is—it just.. it feels different, you know?"

Different.
The word echoed in Suguru's mind, sharp and cutting.
What about us?
What about what we've been through together?
Does none of that feel special to you?
He swallowed the bitterness rising in his throat and nodded instead.

Suguru : "Yeah.... I'm glad she makes you happy."

But the words felt like ash in his mouth.

Satoru didn't seem to notice. He was already rambling on about what he would wear, what they might talk about, and how nervous he felt. Suguru nodded in all the right places, his face carefully neutral, but inside, he was unraveling.

How much longer can I keep this up?

Suguru's gaze shifted to the horizon, where the last traces of sunlight clung to the sky. The warmth of the evening air felt oppressive, like it was closing on him. He could heat Satoru's voice, bright and hopeful, but the words blurred together, meaningless noise against the storm raging in his chest.

You're not angry at him,
Suguru reminded himself.
You can't be.
This isn't his fault.
But no matter how hard he tried to reason with himself, the pain wouldn't go away.

Satoru : "Hey, are you even listening to me?"

Satoru nudged Suguru's shoulder, his grin playful.

Suguru blinked, forcing his focus back.

Suguru : "Sorry. What were you saying?"

Satoru : "I was asking if this shirt works for tomorrow,"

Satoru said, tugging at the hem of his uniform.

Satoru : "I mean, it's casual enough, right? Or do you think I should change it up?"

Suguru stared at him, at the effortless confidence that radiated from Satoru even when he was pretending to be unsure. It was infuriating how unaware he was, how he could turn every conversation into something about himself without even trying.

Suguru : "It's fine."

Suguru said, his voice tighter than he intended.

Suguru : "You could wear a potato sack, and she'd still like you."

Satoru laughed, completely missing the sharp edge to the comment.

Satoru : "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks, Suguru. I don't know what I'd do without you."

The words hit like a punch to the gut. Suguru forced a laugh, trying to play along.

Suguru : "You'd probably survive."

Suguru : "Anyway, I've got to go. I promised to clean up the mission reports."

Satoru : "Wait, already?"

Satoru frowned.

Satoru : "But I'm not done telling you about tomorrow!"

Suguru waved a hand, already walking away.

Suguru : "You'll be fine, Satoru. Just be yourself."

He didn't stop walking until Satoru's voice faded into the distance. Only then did he let out a shaky breath, the mask slipping from his face. His heart felt heavy, every step taking more effort than it should.

He hated hiw Satoru's voice could easily unravel him, how the mere mention of her name was enough to send his emotions spiraling.

Finding a quiet corner of the training grounds, Suguru sank onto a bench and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, hands gripping his hair. The world around him blurred as he replayed the conversation in his mind, dissecting every word, every laugh.

She's amazing.
She's different.
She makes him happy.

Suguru's chest tightened.
Why can't I be enough for you, Satoru?
He hated himself for the thought, hated the jealousy that clawed at his insides.
Satoru didn't owe him anything—least of all his heart-but knowing that didn't make the pain any less suffocating.

The faint chatter of students echoed in the distance, laughter ringing out like cruel reminders of the joy he couldn't share. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Suguru had always been good at pretending, at keeping his feelings buried where no one could see. But lately, the cracks in his facade were growing wider.

A gust of wind swept through the grounds, rustling the leaves and carrying the faint scent of sakira blossoms. It was a beautiful evening, but Suguru couldn't bring himself to appreciate it. All he could feel was the ache in his chest, the hollowness that came with knowing he would never be the one to make Satoru smile like that.

I need to stop this.
He thought, standing abruptly. The longer he lingered, the deeper he sank into his kwn misery. He needed a distraction, something to drown out the thoughts that wouldn't stop swirling in his head.

Turning on his heel, Suguru headed toward the mission boardz If he couldn't quiet his heart, maybe he could at least exhaust his body.